A co-defendant in the racketeering and gun conspiracy case against Atlanta rapper Young Thug accepted a plea deal Tuesday after days of speculation over whether Georgia's longest-running criminal trial may end in a mistrial. Young Thug and the others have been jailed since 2022 on charges of conspiracy and criminal street gang activity and additional firearm- and drug-related charges. The indictment accuses Young Thug, 32, of leading a street gang, Young Slime Life, or YSL, with members committing illegal and violent acts, including murder, armed robbery, drug dealing and carjacking. Opening statements finally began last November after several defendants had already taken plea deals while others chose to be tried separately from Young Thug. The defendants have denied they are part of a street gang and critics contend the RICO law is being unfairly used against Black hip-hop artists.

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Persons: Young Thug, Quamarvious Nichols, Racketeer, Paige Whitaker, Whitaker, Nichols, Young, Jeffery Lamar Williams, Wunnie Lee, Shawty, Lee, it’s, “ We’re, ” Nicole Westmoreland, —, Scott Dudelson, Fani Willis Organizations: Atlanta, Georgia's, Fulton, Bloods Locations: Fulton County, Atlanta